Congress Accuses Chhattisgarh Government of Massive Paddy Mismanagement, Claims Rs 8,500 Crore Loss
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh legislative assembly descended into turmoil on Tuesday following explosive allegations from the Congress party regarding the state's paddy procurement system. The opposition claimed that lakhs of quintals of paddy, purchased from farmers, had been lost due to rats consuming the grain, illegal sales, or simply being left to rot, resulting in staggering financial losses estimated at up to Rs 8,500 crore.
Adjournment Motion Rejected, Zero Hour Erupts in Chaos
The Congress sought an immediate discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion, which was firmly rejected by the Chair. This decision ignited a fierce uproar during Zero Hour, with Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant launching a scathing attack on the Vishnu Deo Sai-led government. Mahant accused the administration of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption, and a complete administrative failure in handling the paddy procurement and storage infrastructure.
"Where is this rat that can eat crores worth of paddy?" Mahant demanded sarcastically, highlighting the government's alleged negligence in safeguarding farmers' produce.
Detailed Allegations of Unresolved Stock and Forced Disposal
Mahant presented specific figures to substantiate the Congress's claims. He stated that out of the 149.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy procured during the 2024-25 kharif marketing season, the state food department's own records indicated that 22.71 lakh quintals remained as unresolved stock. Furthermore, he alleged that the Central government had refused to accept Chhattisgarh's full surplus rice into the central pool.
This refusal, according to Mahant, forced the state to dispose of a massive 1.83 crore quintals of paddy at nearly half the cost price. When combined, these factors allegedly inflicted an overall financial blow of approximately Rs 8,500 crore on the state's economy. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other Congress MLAs strongly supported the demand for a comprehensive discussion, accusing the government of failing to protect farmers' interests and deliberately shielding irregularities within the procurement chain.
Government's Firm Rebuttal and Defense of Procurement Record
In a detailed reply, Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel categorically rejected all allegations as misleading and defended the government's performance with data from the Krishak Unnati Yojana. He asserted that Chhattisgarh was the first state to effectively ensure a combined payment of Rs 3,100 per quintal to farmers, emphasizing the administration's commitment to agricultural welfare.
Baghel clarified that the disposal process for the 2024-25 crop was still ongoing, with a final deadline set for April 30, 2026. He provided updated storage figures, noting that about 1.60 lakh tonnes of paddy remained in storage centers and 67,000 tonnes at procurement centers, which constitutes less than three percent of the total procurement. The minister firmly denied any instances of grain being eaten by rats or sold illegally, assuring the House that all stock was being stored safely with proper arrangements.
Addressing accountability, Baghel revealed that cases had been registered against two center in-charges, and two officials had been suspended due to identified irregularities.
Unconvinced Opposition Escalates Protest, Faces Suspension
Despite the government's explanations, the Congress opposition remained wholly unconvinced. The situation escalated as Congress MLAs began shouting slogans and trooped into the well of the House in protest. In response, the Chair announced the suspension of the protesting members, marking a dramatic conclusion to the day's proceedings. The incident underscores the deepening political rift over agricultural management and farmer welfare in the state.
